Merle Olive Garton Phillips, age 111, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, August 18 in her apartment at Belmont Village. She was born April 2, 1907 in Kingston, AR. Her family moved to Iowa after her father's death when she was four months old. Merle had 11 brothers and sisters. All have preceded her in death.

Merle loved to read as a child and continued her entire life. Her mother restricted her to 2 books a week. She grew up on a farm surrounded by family.

Merle graduated from High School in 1926. She graduated from Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, IA with 2 Bachelor's Degree in Math, Psychology and Education in 1930. She received her Master's from the University of Iowa in Social Welfare in 1933. She also received her teacher's certificate and wanted to teach Math but did not.

Merle met, Leonard Phillips, the love of her life, at the University of Iowa. They married May 26, 1937. Leonard died of Leukemia, February 13, 1968 in Wheaton, IL. Together they hitch hiked across America on their vacations creating many memories. Merle and Leonard delighted in "tricking" each other particularly on April Fool's Day. Once Merle put cardboard in his sandwich for lunch, another time she put cotton inside candy as a "treat". Leonard's collection of butterflies were donated to Buena Vista University along with financial support to build the Bell Tower.

Merle wrote 11 books, all were autobiographical and contain stories of her life experiences. Her last book was "Beautiful Peebles".

Merle has been a member of One Church Wheaton, formerly Wheaton Wesleyan since 1958. She was also an active DAR member with the Perrin Wheaton Chapter. She was a Girl Scout leader, Sunday School teacher and a leader of kids clubs and children's ministry at church. In her 90's she was known to climb trees and go down the slip and slide.

Merle worked at the Rock Island Arsenal during WW II. Later she and Leonard moved to Chicago where she worked in the research lab later known as Sherwin Williams Paint Company. When she retired three people were hired to replace her. She retired at 70 yrs. old but continued working in the Wheaton area caring for children and elderly adults. Her final retirement was at 99 1/2 years old.

Merle became a resident at Belmont Village in Carol Stream after living in Wheaton for over 60 years. She has been very active riding the stationary bike, playing scrabble, sudoku, trivia, bingo, attending church services and Bible Studies.

She leaves behind great nieces and nephews, children she baby sat and their families, and many friends, including John Hedstrom, who came to her home or Belmont Village nightly to play games and assist her in any way needed.

Services will be at One Church Wheaton , 1300 S. President, Wheaton, IL on Saturday, August 25 beginning at 9 a.m. with visitation and service time at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Le Claire, IA at 3 p.m. beside her husband at Glendale Cemetery on August 25.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Feed My Starving Children , 555 Exchange Ct., Aurora, IL  60504; or to The Salvation Army , P.O. Box 269, Alexandria, VA 22313; or to One Church Wheaton , 1300 S. President, Wheaton, IL 60189.